Ipad the fell on my hand on Shabbos

September 23rd, 2016

Question:

This past Shabbos I was reaching for a sefer on a bookshelf, and an ipad that was on the bookshelf fell on my hand. I would like to ask the Rav what I should do in this case? Should I just try to pull my hand from underneath the ipad, which perhaps would be considered handling the muktzah indirectly?

Answer:

I am not clear as to what happened. If the ipad fell on the back of your hand, then moving it with the back of your hand is permitted as it is to prevent the ipad from getting ruined, which is permitted (tiltul b’gufo l’tzorech daver h’asur). But even if it fell into your hand, since you didn’t pick it up in a forbidden way, and thee I a great financial lose if it will break, you may move it to a safe place

Answer:

I am not clear as to what happened. If the ipad fell on the back of your hand, then moving it with the back of your hand is permitted as it is to prevent the ipad from getting ruined, which is permitted (tiltul b’gufo l’tzorech daver h’asur). But even if it fell into your hand, since you didn’t pick it up in a forbidden way, and thee I a great financial lose if it will break, you may move it to a safe place

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